Hollywood is calling to Michigan

"I really have nothing to say about that film," Janet Lockwood said of "Terror at Baxter U," laughing at the memory of the roundly panned 2003 horror film.

"I was only in it because a friend wrote it, and the whole experience convinced me to go back to what I loved, acting on stage."

Fortunately for Michigan, though, it didn't sour Lockwood on what she's done best for the past 17 years, pitching the state to potential filmmakers. And since April 2008, when Michigan began offering tax incentives up to 42 percent to those shooting their films here, she hasn't had much time to do anything else.

The Great Lakes Bay region alone has drawn several projects, including Drew Barrymore's upcoming film "Whip It," shot at a Birch Run Township diner.

"Gov. William Milliken is the one who started all of this, back in 1979," Lockwood said. "And filmmakers have made movies in Michigan since back in the 1940s. We're just seeing many more now."

Where will it go from here? Lockwood meets with members of the Michigan Film Office Advisory Council from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday at Saginaw's Temple Theatre to discuss just that.

Members, with substantial credentials in the industry, will brainstorm on balancing what Michigan can offer with what filmmakers need. The meeting is open to the public.

"Michigan could be quite a player in a very viable, exciting business," Lockwood said. "It's not going to replace the auto industry, but I can see the infrastructure growing and creating more jobs.

"That's the whole thrust of what we do, to create more jobs for Michigan people."

Lockwood talked with The Saginaw News about "Hollywood North."

Q: A year hasn't even passed since the incentive and there has been plenty of success.

Lockwood: "I was surprised at the numbers myself, but people go where the money is. In 2008, we had more than 130 applicants, we approved 74 of them, and 34 completed their projects.

"Some fell by the wayside for one reason or another, and that's fine. It happens. Some were for TV or were documentaries, which you don't hear about as much. Then we had (Clint Eastwood's) 'Gran Torino.'"

Q: Now comes the day of reckoning, as filmmakers file their tax returns and look for that reimbursement.

Lockwood: "We anticipate paying about $48 million out, but in that same time, between $125 and $130 million came back to us. Goods and services, such as lodging and food, accounted for $103 million and the balance went to salaries."

Q: It's exciting to hear from people around here who sign on and work on a film.

Lockwood: "It's great, and it's what we expected as we put this together. Jobs is what it's all about.

"We are also a union state, and most of the film companies are union, so we can offer specialized employees. They want to work with the best people in the business and we have them right here."

Q: You've even experienced some job growth in the film office, right?

Lockwood: (Laughing.) "For years, it was just me and Paul Martin in here, and then just me. Now we have a staff of eight, and four student-assistants."

Q: What's your average day like?

Lockwood: "There is no average. We're talking to people from all different walks of life, and getting more calls every day. Already, 30 films have applied for incentives this year, though not all will be approved."

Q: How do you decide what films are approved?

Lockwood: "We look for good financial standing, and whether they have all the blanks filled in. We look at their track record, and we read the scripts, always. We don't want to fund a pornographic film, for instance.

"Then we look at the possible economic impact, such as hiring Michigan people."

Lockwood: "Most are doing what George Clooney did here; they're closing the sets to avoid just that sort of thing. You wouldn't believe how poorly the media, along with the man on the street, behaves around the stars.

"While George Clooney was set up in an empty airport terminal, we had the mayor of a town actually badgering the crews to let him get his picture taken with George. He even had his police on the lookout for George. That's embarrassing. It's so hick city."

Q: What about getting hired as an extra?
Lockwood: "There's a talent directory listed on our Web site, www.michiganfilmoffice.org, that tells what positions are available. But most of the people who are serious about getting in the film sign up with an agency. It's usually free to sign up, though they get a portion of what you're paid if you are hired.

"If it's something you want to do on occasion, it's a little tougher. You have to watch for the cattle calls, and sometimes you even need an agent to get in that loop."

Q: What benefits, such as an increase in tourism, do you see in the long run?

Lockwood: "That's a little too early to call because most of the films that were shot haven't been released yet. We don't know how they will be received.

"There's one coming out, 'All's Faire,' that was shot at the Holly Renaissance Festival and that could spark some interest. We may put together a map, too, that directs people to where movies were shot. That's an idea I stole from Chicago and it's a good one."

Q: About that infrastructure ...

Lockwood: "I look at New Mexico and Louisiana, states that started incentive programs before us, and I can see they have everything else in place. We need more studios like the one in Farmington Hills, so that we can offer year-round filming.

"Things like that are important to me."

Q: What's your personal dream project?

Lockwood: "Even though I have a poster behind me of George Clooney in 'Out of Sight,' and I'll always have a soft spot for Antonio Banderas, what would really thrill me is getting the big names here, the Robert Redfords and Steven Spielbergs, with their films.